Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Labour Welcomes MMP Proposals


Lianne
Dalziel
Associate Justice Spokesperson

13 August 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

Labour Welcomes MMP Proposals

Labour welcomes the proposals set out in the review of MMP by the Electoral Commission, says Labour’s Associate Justice spokesperson Lianne Dalziel.

“The Electoral Commission must be congratulated for what has been a very robust process of public engagement. The proposals are well-considered and will benefit from the final round of public input.

“The public has spoken loudly and clearly about the ‘coat-tails’ clause, which has allowed parties to win seats even though the party doesn’t have sufficient support to get over the five per cent threshold.

“Everyone wants to see an end to political stitch-ups and canning this clause will stop dodgy ‘tea party’ deals. Lowering the threshold to four per cent will mean a fairer system for everyone.

“National’s campaign for John Banks and Peter Dunne to win their constituency seats paid off when they delivered the two crucial votes they needed to pass the asset sales law.

“People voted to retain MMP because they don’t want a return to the old two-party system and want a genuine check on the absolute majorities that FPP used to bring. The diversity of representation has also been highly valued. Parliament had only one Pacifica MP before MMP and not one Asian MP. We couldn’t imagine a Parliament like that today.

“Removing the coat-tailing loophole while lowering the threshold and removing the overhang will ensure we have a well-represented and balanced Parliament that reflects New Zealand’s diversity.

“The Commission says only small changes need to be made to MMP and Labour agrees. These proposals will lead to a stronger MMP and a greater faith in democracy. “

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

Gordon Campbell: On The Government’s Smokefree Laws Debacle

The most charitable explanation for National’s behaviour over the smokefree legislation is that they have dutifully fulfilled the wishes of the Big Tobacco lobby and then cast around for excuses that might sell this health policy U-turn to the public. The less charitable view is that the government was being deliberately misleading. Are we to think Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is a fool or a liar? It seems rather early on in his term of office to be facing that unpleasant choice... More


 
 
Public Housing Futures: Christmas Comes Early For Landlords

New CTU analysis of the National & ACT coalition agreement has shown the cost of returning interest deductibility to landlords is an extra $900M on top of National’s original proposal. This is because it is going to be implemented earlier and faster, including retrospective rebates from April 2023. More


Green Party: Petition To Save Oil & Gas Ban

“The new Government’s plan to expand oil and gas exploration is as dangerous as it is unscientific. Whatever you think about the new government, there is simply no mandate to trash the climate. We need to come together to stop them,” says James Shaw. More

PSA: MFAT Must Reverse Decision To Remove Te Reo

MFAT's decision to remove te reo from correspondence before new Ministers are sworn in risks undermining the important progress the public sector has made in honouring te Tiriti. "We are very disappointed in what is a backward decision - it simply seems to be a Ministry bowing to the racist rhetoric we heard on the election campaign trail," says Marcia Puru. More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.